MLB American League best bets & top odds – Saturday, July 9

The Major League Baseball (MLB) schedule for Saturday features a full slate, with Cincinnati’s 22-year-old starter Hunter Greene, Toronto’s young ace Alek Manoah, and another youngster from Cleveland, Triston McKenzie, taking the mound. Batters to watch include Boston’s Xander Bogaerts and Christian Vazquez. Here are the best bets on American League games scheduled for Saturday, July 9 starting at 2:10 p.m. Eastern. All lines provided by Bovada.

Tampa Bay Rays @ Cincinnati Reds

Rookie Hunter Greene was Cincinnati’s top pick and the second overall back in 2017. Given that he and every other minor league player lost two full seasons due to COVID-19 in 2019 and 2020, his quick arrival to The Show is quite impressive. He’s numbers this season have been anything but, however. He’s 3-10 with a 6.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, but he has struck out 98 batters in 79.1 innings pitched, which is incredible.

Tampa Bay hasn’t seen Greene, which will be a nice advantage the youngster will enjoy the first few times through the lineup. The Rays, despite their anemic offense (24th-ranked OPS of .683), could work through that lineup rather quickly if Greene misses his spots. He’s been tattooed for 22 homers already this season, and while playing at the Great American “Smallpark” has something to do with that, at the velocity Greene is pitching, it doesn’t much matter where he pitches. If someone makes good contact, it’s going a long way.

Greene has also struggled to stay in games. In his last five starts he’s gone more than five innings just once, and Cincinnati has the worst ERA amongst relievers in MLB (5.49). Even the Rays should be able to score on the Reds’ bullpen.

Bet on Tampa to take the first five innings and the game. Consider taking them to win by two as well, and consider parlaying those bets with…

---

Cleveland Guardians @ Kansas City Royals

Triston McKenzie is projected to start for Cleveland, and he’s been quite good. His 0.98 WHIP is fantastic, and he’s struck out 80 batters in 87.1 innings pitched. He’s also had success against the Royals, who are 17-for-85 against with just five extra-base hits. That’s a .498 OPS and .265 slugging percentage.

Jonathan Heasley is scheduled to start for Kansas City, and he’s not been great, with a 4.76 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Against Cleveland, he’s allowed five hits in 18 at-bats, including a double and a homer. Jose Ramirez has the homer and another hit in just three at-bats, so do with that information what you will.

Take Cleveland in the first five innings and on the moneyline. Parlaying the Guardians and Rays on the moneyline pays +205.

---

Boston’s Zander Bogaerts and Christian Vazquez vs. New York’s Jordan Montgomery

Xander Bogaerts is 13-for-28 against Jordan Montgomery with two doubles, and Christian Vazquez is six-for-18 with two homers. Bet on either or both to have multiple total bases on Saturday.

Toronto’s George Springer vs. Seattle’s Robbie Ray

George Springer has five hits in 12 at-bats against Robbie Ray, with two doubles and a dinger. Bet on him to have multiple total bases against the Mariners. Also consider taking Toronto in the first five innings and on the moneyline, as Alek Manoah is scheduled to start. He’s 9-3 with a 2.33 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. A moneyline trifecta featuring Toronto, Cleveland, and Tampa Bay pays +450.

---

There are your best American League bets for Saturday, July 9. Place your bets before first pitch at 2:10 p.m. Eastern and please gamble responsibly.
More sports betting picks